HIJRAH WITHOUT A MAHRAM

HIJRAH WITHOUT A MAHRAM

Question 182: There is a woman whose family members are not committed to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and they do not support her with (wearing) the hijaab and being steadfast upon the deen. She has a nine years old son. So, is it correct for him to be her mahram, (such that) she travels with him to an Islamic country or other than it because she and her son want to seek knowledge?

Answer 182: If she intends Hijrah then it is permissible for her to travel as a Muhajirah (one who is performing Hijrah) even if without a mahram, like Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah ibn Abee Mu’eet travelled (for Hijrah) and like Zainab, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe wa sallam travelled.

Also if she does not intend Hijrah but she intends to run away from fitnah then that is permissible for her as well, because in it (running away from fitnah) lies the meaning of Hijrah.

As for the Hadeeth: “It is not permissible for a woman to travel except with a mahram,” it remains on its general ruling and its exception is what is entailed in Hijrah, Allahu Musta’aan!

And as for the son, we did not mention him because the people are differ, from among people are some who are (mentally) matured and he is only nine years old, and from the people are those who are immature even though they have reached the age of 13 or more, so people differ in their (mental) maturity.

In any case, it is permissible for her. And it is compulsory on her to fear Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala and she should not speak to any of the passengers except women and let her not be a source of fitnah to others. Allahu Musta’aan!

[Source: “Last Journey of Imam Muqbil Ibn Hadee Al-Wadee” By His wife, Shaykhah Umm Salamah As.Salafiyah]